Let me ask you guys...do you have foot, knee and ankle pain? Mine is HORRIBLE especially in the morning. I feel that the balls of my feet are hard to walk on in the morning for about an hour or so. During the course of the day (doesn't matter if I am resting or not), it improves, but, I still feel the pain. I had one of the doctors check me out, and she stated that my labs were normal (didn't ask her to take a rheumatoid factor, though), no inflammation or such. She gave me a prescription for Naproxen, which is helpful, but I only take it when the pain is untolerable. I did purchase a new quality mattress, so, the shoulder pains and back pains gained much relief. But, I am thinking of everything from osteoarthritis, to muscle sprains. I am wearing sneakers because the nursing shoes are murder. I get relief when I shower, but, now, when I get home, I am beat, and the feet are throbbing...I sometimes feel sub-human. I am going to the podiatrist at my hospital by next week...hopefully, he can write a prescription for some freaking shoes!
Am I alone in this, or are other nurses experiencing this, too??? I find this amazing, because I worked as a CNA, patient care tech, phlebotomist, medical assistant...the pain was not like this for me then. I want to get back into walking for exercise, but, the pain is too much at times.
Only thing I can recommend is gel inserts. "Are you gelin?"
BigB, how do you get those darned thing to stay put in the shoe? I even tried taping them, but they still get bunched up by the end of my shift. Thanks!
BigB, how do you get those darned thing to stay put in the shoe? I even tried taping them, but they still get bunched up by the end of my shift. Thanks!
Have you tried Danskos? They are amazing! I'm on my feet all day now and I love them. My mom is a nurse and swears by these too. Pricey but so well worth it. You have to get the original ones...no fakes. (Try them on in a store first before you order online, the fit is different than most shoes).
Hey!! I found these new shoes that are supposed to help with pain and burning and also your back. The are called MBTs. They are around $244.00, but are worth it. hope this helps. ;)
It sounds like plantar fasciitis. It is when the fascia gets inflamed and then will shorten in the night. That would explain the tightness and pain in the morning. Try doing some light stretches in the morning. Put your toes against the wall and your heel on the floor and then lean into it slowly. Don't force it! You want to gradually stretch the fascia back out. There are a number of different treatments. I did PT to stretch the fascia and hamstring, had insoles made for my shoe and have this very attractive boot:o that I would sleep in while it was stretching. That keeps the fascia from tightening up overnight. I ended up with a cortisone injection that really made a difference.
I would check with your Dr. again. Labs would show an inflammation in the fascia, muscle or other orthopedic cause for your pain.
i have written before on this site about the best shoes called zcoils's
go online to find the nearest store that sells them i had to drive 20 miles but well worth it..i have had a pair of white leather ones for 3 years wearing them 5 nights 11-7 a week working in the lab of a busy trauma hopsital and i never sit down and once in awhile foolishly thinking that i can wear my reg. sneaks or nursemates one night i am in pain again. i have plantar fasciatis and no heel pads left from doing the 60 mile avon breast cancer walk..the white ones were $165..still in perfect condition but i start nursing 7p-7a, and i wanted something new so i bought a black pair ($179) that look like sneakers and put them on tuesday night and wore them all night with no problems....everyone comments on them at work, no orthotics needed ecause they are built in and they make ugly sandals and clogs..but who cares if they are ugly if they work..go to www.zcoil.com and read the testomony's..please do it you wil love them..and i am going to wear the black ones for jazzercise!
fyi, i did the ortho thing, podiatrist, everything you could think of..i refused cortizone injections...i was standing and not putting the ball of my foot down which was throwing me out of alignment, these shoes put you back in alignment, they have rocks built into the floor of the store toprove how stable they are to walk on..and i was buying a new pair of nb sneakers every 3 months at $100 (still in pain then) so i have saved money!!
Specializes in nursing home,psych,chemical dependency.
Hey, gradrn2007, these are the weirdest looking shoes I've ever seen! I start nursing school in January and I seriously doubt they will accept these....how in the heck do you keep your feet balanced? They absolutely look bizarro !! I was thinking of getting Birkenstocks.....
no balance required and I wore them for 2 years in nursing school..white leather ones that you can polish
the store i go to has rocks built into the floor and logs and little rocks for you 2 walk in and its amazing
i broke my ankle years ago and thought i would twist them for sure but no way, worked great from day one, and the second pair i bought in black that look like sneaks i wore to jazzercise for the first time tuesday and they were great,
Specializes in SNF, Psych, Sub Acute, Long Term Rehab.
I had plantar fasciitis in both my feet at the same time! I had orthotics made for my feet and were good supportive shoes. I never skimp on quality shoes. I had a lot of brands recommended to me, the trick is to find what works best for you. K-Swiss happens to work great for me. I also had to take time off and stay off of my feet for a while to allow them to heal, along with the stretching exercises and NSAIDS. Weight has nothing to do with it nor does fitness. I'm fit, active, and weigh 105 lbs. I just wasn't wearing proper support which was the cause of my problem.
I religiously wear "arch bandages" on my feet during long days on hard tile. They really support and lift your arches--important for my poor, flat-footed feet. Even if you're not that flat-footed, many people with plantar fascitis use them. They're only about $6 each at pharmacies, and they've made TONS of difference for me. Those, plus my crocs keep my feet pretty cushy all day.
As a massage therapist waiting to start LPN Program January 08, I would deffinitely suggest therapeutic massage. Not just the relaxing, feel good massage, I am talking about deep tissue, myofascial release; integrative massage techniques. You can also get into the habit of soaking your feet/legs, or using some type of moist heat to help relieve the discomfort and promote blood flow, which will in turn create healthier, more relaxed tissue. Stretching regularly will also help. If affording a massage is an issue, you can also use regular household items to massage your feet. Rolling your foot over a frozen water bottle with some pressure feels great (a hard rubber ball will also work). Rub your own feet before retiring for the night. In Rolfing (structural integration) good posture and a healthly form begins with our foundation which is our feet. If your foundation is strong the rest will follow.
;) 
Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN
1,472 Posts
BigB, how do you get those darned thing to stay put in the shoe? I even tried taping them, but they still get bunched up by the end of my shift. Thanks!